Dear Bose,

I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in choosing the best L1 system for my needs.

I am a guitarist and bassist and I am looking to purchase one of the Bose L1 systems that would provide me with the best possible sound quality in my recording studio.

Basically what I would like to use the Bose system for is to play my electric, acoustic guitars and electric bass along with the output from my Roland GR55 guitar synthesizer so that I can monitor the sound output from these instruments. All of my instruments are hooked up to my Tascam 2488 Neo 24-track digital recorder / mixer and what I am planning on doing is to take the line out left and right outputs from my mixer and send those signals to two seperate Bose L1 systems so that I will have a true stereo setup.

When I record my instruments I will be recording direct into my 24-track Tascam so I am not concerened about being able to record the sound output through the Bose L1's, they will be for monitoring the sound from my instruments and for playback of recorded tracks only.

My question is as follows:

What would be the best L1 system for my particular situation? Would a pair of the L1 Compact speakers be adequate or would I be better off using a pair of the L1 Model 2's?

Since the speakers will only be used in my recording studio in a room that measures 20 feet by 20 feet I am not worried about being able to play my instruments at earth shattering decibel levels so on one hand I was thinking that the L1 compact speakers would be adequate.

My main concern is will the L1 compact speakers be able to provide me with a full frequency range of sound since I will be using these to play both acoustic and electric guitars and guitar synth sounds. The guitar synth is capable of creating sounds above and below the normal frequency range of a guitar so would I be better off with a pair of L1 Model 2 speakers?

What is the difference in terms if frequency response between the L1 Model 2's versus the L1 Compact units? I know that the L1 Model 2 system uses a sub woofer so I am assuming that it covers more of the lower end of the audio spectrum but how much lower does it go compared to the L1 Compact system which does not use a subwoofer.

Thank you for your help.

Hello Indigosounds,

Thank you for posting! I can help you out here.

First off, the L1 family of products is designed primarily for live sound, although I have heard of several cases where they are used in a home/studio. They would be well suited to use for monitoring and playback, but are not ideal for mixing or mastering.

With that in mind, I think either the L1 compact or the L1 model II could suit your needs. Since it is a smaller room, the compact would probably be sufficient.

While we don't have published frequency response specifications, I can tell you that the L1 compact is a full-range system. It also has significant low-end response due to an 8" woofer integrated into the base of the system.

I hope that helps. Let us know if you have any more questions.

Hello Adam,

Many thanks for your reply to my questions.

I am indeed aware that the L1 Speakers are not utilized for mixing and mastering.

Since I am only looking to use the L1's as monitors for playing "live" in my studio and for listening to playback of recorded tracks the L1's should serve my purposes.

I was already sold on the idea of buying a pair of L1's, I just need further clarification as to wheter or not I needed the L1 Compacts or the L1 Model 2's.

I'm going to go with a pair of the L1 Compacts and run them in stereo and see how that works out.

Thanks again.

Sounds good.

Feel free to call or contact us here if you have any questions in the future.

Thanks,